Potential entrepreneurs with innovative ideas in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency will be able to get help taking their technology from a university laboratory to the market, thanks to a new three-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The state with some of the nation's most ambitious clean energy standards went even further recently: Regulators approved new regulations requiring utilities to draw a third of their power from alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal in 10 years.

Proposition 23, which would suspend Assembly Bill 32 -- California’s 2006 emissions reduction legislation -- until the economy recovers, is so hotly debated that even groups that aim toward political neutrality are chiming in.

As the announcement comes that the pedestrian bridge connecting Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport to taxis and shuttles is now closed for demolition, it’s clear that construction at the airport is well under way.

NEW YORK -- By unlocking decades' worth of natural-gas deposits deep underground across the United States, drillers have ensured that natural gas will be cheap and plentiful for the foreseeable future. It's a reversal from a few years ago that is transforming the energy industry.

NEW YORK -- Google and a handful of other companies are investing in a proposed $5 billion network of underwater transmission lines that could bring power from future offshore wind farms to customers along the East Coast.

Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss and his wife Svetlana purchased a 4,830-square-foot home on 1.2 acres in Encinitas more than three years ago, knowing it would require a major overhaul. After an intensive planning period and search for the right general contractor, they are now through the framing stages of the renovations and are anxious to start selecting their finishes for this custom estate.

Most property managers and owners by now have heard of the term “White Reflective Roofing System” or maybe Single-Ply TPO, PVC or even “White Reflective Coating.” There are many different types of roofing systems you can have installed now that have common themes: They are white, reflect light, save you energy and are Title-24 compliant.

Green buildings, alternative energy, hybrid vehicles and energy efficiency will be among the topics of discussion at the Energy Evolution: Transforming the Future of Power symposium on Nov. 8. The event, presented by global energy management company Eaton Corp., will feature a keynote address by Thomas W. Hicks, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy, with primary responsibility for the Navy’s energy management strategy. Tony Haymet, vice chair and co-founder of CleanTECH San Diego and director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, will provide closing remarks.

Roundtables

Local “green” businesses say getting customers on the green bandwagon often sells itself from an ideological standpoint, but one challenge is getting people to realize how it benefits them personally, especially from a financial standpoint.

Profiles

Venkat Shastri’s first job in 1988 was with NASA, at its jet propulsion lab, where he got to work on the navigation of the Pathfinder that was used to explore Mars. His next gig was as a research scientist at Yale University, where he helped develop the robotics laboratory.

Running a successful restaurant is known to be one of the most challenging business ventures -- in any economy. And local restaurateur Jay Porter adds another element to the mix: He’s committed to a solely local, organic and ingredient-driven menu.

National News

SAN FRANCISCO -- The state with some of the nation's most ambitious clean energy standards went even further recently: Regulators approved new regulations requiring utilities to draw a third of their power from alternative energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal in 10 years.

NEW YORK -- By unlocking decades' worth of natural-gas deposits deep underground across the United States, drillers have ensured that natural gas will be cheap and plentiful for the foreseeable future. It's a reversal from a few years ago that is transforming the energy industry.

NEW YORK -- Google and a handful of other companies are investing in a proposed $5 billion network of underwater transmission lines that could bring power from future offshore wind farms to customers along the East Coast.

With over a decade installing residential and commercial solar, Stellar Solar is one of the oldest and most experienced solar energy companies now operating in San Diego – we specialized in solar before it was hot!